By Lwazi Raul
Former education director in Mpumalanga, Pinky Norah Mbatsane(66) appeared in the Mbombela magistrate court on Monday on charges of theft and money laundering.
Mbatsane who was not alone on the court box but with her son Sibusiso Mbatsane (46), and her daughter in law Nancy Mbatsane.
The three were served by Hawks Serious Commercial Crime investigation team with summons to appear before the magistrate court on their accounts.
According to information at the HAWKS disposal, It is alleged that Pinky Norah Mbatsane, a former director in the government department along with her son Sibusiso Mbatsane, and her daughter-in-law Nancy Mbatsane allegedly colluded to defraud the Department of Education over R6.4 million. The three suspects were employed in the same government department that they stole from.
According to information that was received by Emsamo News states that Sibusiso, worked as an inspector in the department along with his wife Nancy who was a Nutrition Monitor. The Two moved around Mpumalanga recruiting private companies for Ghost tender contracts, took company documents from the owners and submitted them to the department as if those companies rendered services to the State while all fate.
The companies will then receive payments from the department for work not done; the trio would later collect the funds from the owners of the companies for their own use. The department subsequently suffered a total loss of approximately R6 414 659,94 due to their fraudulent activities. Hawks Spokeswomen in Mpumalanga Dineo Sekgotodi confirmed the details. “ I can confirm that the Three appeared before the Mbombela magistrate court where their case was held, however the case was postponed to 12 July 2021 for appointment of the attorneys.”.
